The Fresno Bee from Fresno, California • 12

A12 Sunday January 5 1997 The Fresno Bee JIM PATTERSON: I AM THE MAYOR Snapshots from the Patterson family album Noiwood James Patterson Jr Bom: Feb 18 194a Parents: Norwood Patterson Sr 74 and Dawn Patterson 73 Brother Sherwood Patterson 4a of Santa Maria Sister Dawn Deigatty 44 of Connecticut Education: Burlingame High School 1966 bachelor's degree in political science from Fresno State University 1992 (named outstanding political science graduate) Married: Sharon LaTour-neau June 17 1967 Children: BJ 23 Jason ia and Lindsay 11 Career Various radio jobs Started Christian radio station K1RV with partners in 1974 still coowner with Dan Jantz but no longer active in operations Awards: Named one of state's top five fathers by Gov Wilson in 1995 Church: Member of Peoples Church Politics: Registered Republican Elected mayor on May 11 1993 elected first strong mayor on March 26 1996 card with from left BJ Jim Lindsay Sharon and Jason Continued from Page A1 into the 21st century with a second term at City Hall that begins Tuesday Patterson will be the first "strong under a new system of government that makes him the chief executive with expanded power His new duties are so different that no one can say with confidence how he will handle it alL Watching his performance on election night however provided some dues about the style he will bring to the job Through the evening Patterson displayed his vanity his vulnerability his love of his own voice and his enthusiasm for his new responsibilities Patterson wife Sharon and aidedriver Davies began the evening at Republican headquarters in Clovis Balloons bobbed Politicians weaved American flag sheet cakes frosted in red white and blue filled a table Patterson moved with seeming ease into the crowd First stop: a conversation with City Council Member Dan Ron-quillo They appeared relaxed and friendly Ronquillo says there are two Jim Pattersons One is a patient Mr Nice Guy who does good things The other is a controlling politician with a quick temper that uncorks behind closed doors At the Republican event the crowd strained closer to the television sets to hear Bob Dole concede defeat Patterson moved with the others Paying no attention to him were Fresno County Schools Superintendent Pete Mehas and Fresno County Supervisor Deran Koligian engrossed in their own conversation Relations between the city and county are abysmal Koligian Bays he holds Patterson responsible He likes to talk a lot Maybe he thinks if he keeps talking people will agree with him" says Koligian arguably the most powerful politician in Fresno County It was time for Patterson to move on Davies signaled the boss and they drifted toward the door Just as they slipped into the night developer Kevin Cas-tanos whispered some early local election results One result jolted Patterson: Incumbent Council Member Linda Calandra was trailing opponent Chris Mathys underestimated him as an Patterson said and for a moment he seemed vulnerable too as if he was the one getting the heave-ho from voters we ever behind he asked his wife in the back seat No Bhe said thinking back to the March election when Patterson took in 62 percent of the vote Calandra ended up losing Calandra puts some of the blame on Patterson saying he promised to endorse her and didn't In 1995 Patterson had dubbed Calandra and three other council members the Gang of Four" for their support of city unions She says that was divisive politics and wasn't very Christian Patterson is a member of conservative Peoples Church and a longtime religious 1996 The Patterson family Christmas 1982 Patterson with his ride at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri 1980s Jim left fishing with Doug Hoick in Mexico fax?" He was referring to a campaign flier faxed around town last spring It said Patterson was having an affair Ludicrous he says Woody sqys frustrating because there are people who will support him because he looks like a mayor sounds like a mayor and a Christian There are those people in this community who Hunk fine' And I think Leaving Woody behind Patter-aon rushed on to do more commentary on election-night radio program At KMJ Patterson pulled off his tie slipped on headsets and settled down before a microphone It was three hours of talk talk talk Patterson chatted on-air with City Council candidates sweating out election results this is Mayor this is Mayor Only a few times was it: is Jim He pounded long and hard on his council nemesis Bob Lung who was on his way to a 66-vote loss to challenger Ken Steitz It was after 1 am when Patterson finished his radio gig but there was one more stop: the east Fresno headquarters of Steitz the Lung slayer As Davies turned the car north on Blackstone Patterson checked his hair in the rearview mirror He sported a new Bwept and puffed up Patterson jokingly asked his wife if look good with a fiat top Well she said you have to worry bo much At tiny headquarters Patterson chatted up the candidate but avoided any contact with former City Council Member Rod Anaforian now a political foe Given the cramped quarters it was like trying to tango without touching your partner Anaforian says Patterson is not a "detail man" and makes decisions on emotion not facts I don 't accept is the politician who fails to do his homework and then insists on trying to lead" At 2:15 am the last election results of the night came in giving Steitz the lead Patterson was satisfied He had schmoozed been on TV and radio His hair looked good Stan Oken an ally had been reelected And the evening had ended the tough Jim Patterson said as he opened the car door for his wife The Acura sped north on quiet Freeway 41 through the city Patterson made his own 28 years ago His election-night journey was almost complete Kit his journey to power was not People talk of higher office for Patterson Congress Lieutenant governor But first he has to show that he has the muscle to make it as the strong mayor Continued on Page A13 Acura pulled up in front of the Airport Holiday Inn scene of Supervisor Stan party Jim and Sharon Patterson walked in hand-in-hand A victorious Oken mounted a small stage took note of the presence and said the city and county were going to kiss and make up No more and silly because of policy hassles Oken said He and Patterson would see to it Oken says Patterson is not only a fine mayor but a friend always been able to rely on him doing what he said he was going to do" 1967 Jim and Sharon in 1967 at age 19 shortly before they married From party Patterson hurried on to KSEE Channel 24 for some on-air election analysis Woody was there too He and Patterson bantered Fingering moss-green jacket the flashy bachelor told the mayor snow starting to get some common Sharon Patterson laughed and said: Jim have a do you Patterson joked you get the Left summer 1994 Patterson horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies i.